They are not satisfied that the pledge – against the use of beta-agonist – had included “other substances” but had not defined what these substances were.

The federation said pig farmers agreed to sign only if the Health Ministry changed the clause in the written pledge.

Pigs unit chairman Tung Hong Chai said the pledge was not clear as it stated that pig farmers would not use beta-agonist and “other substances”.

“We need to know what the substances are. The farmers do not want to sign it for fear they would be on the losing end by not knowing what the 'others' are.

“A small number of the 670 pig farmers in Peninsular Malaysia have signed the pledge but have not submitted it to the Veterinary Services Department,” he said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters that the farmers had agreed to sign the loyalty pledge by the end of the month.

Source: Malaysia Star